Index of Day 2 Upper Extremity Lecture 1

Summary

• Upper Extremity Lecture Introduction (0:02)

◦ Speaker 1 introduces the topic of upper extremity, focusing on the radial nerve and its related conditions like tennis elbow and nerve entrapments.

◦ Speaker 1 mentions that some participants missed the first day and provides Dr. Trescot's email for her peripheral nerve entrapment book.

◦ The book is described as a gold mine, with a cobalt blue cover and published by Springer, and is available at a cheaper price than on Amazon.

◦ Speaker 1 highlights Dr. Trescot's YouTube lectures on peripheral nerve entrapments, which cover topics relevant to the current lecture.

• Anatomy and Treatment of Tennis Elbow (2:08)

◦ Speaker 1 explains the anatomy of the forearm and the similarities between treating tennis elbow and radial tunnel syndrome.

◦ The lecture will cover the anatomy of the forearm, focusing on the radial tunnel and sensory nerve entrapments.

◦ Speaker 1 emphasizes the importance of understanding the anatomy to treat both tennis elbow and radial tunnel syndrome effectively.

◦ The lecture aims to be less intense than the previous day, allowing participants to mentally coast through the session.

• Root Cause Considerations for Forearm Issues (3:48)

◦ Speaker 1 discusses the importance of considering various root causes when treating forearm issues, such as overuse injuries, nerve compression, and thoracic outlet issues.

◦ For first-time patients, it's important to minimize needles to avoid causing unnecessary pain.

◦ Pro athletes often require regular acupuncture due to the heavy use of their bodies, making them prone to muscular tensions and injuries.

◦ Speaker 1 lists various root causes, including cervical issues, thoracic outlet, core stability, and local overuse, and explains how to think about these factors when treating patients.

• Tennis Elbow: Causes and Treatments (5:53)

◦ Speaker 1 explains that tennis elbow is more of a tendinopathy than a tendinitis, with muscle shortening causing pain rather than inflammation.

◦ The pain from tennis elbow can be immediate due to muscle shortening, unlike inflammation-based pain that requires time to clear.

◦ Tennis elbow is common among people with jobs involving repetitive motions, such as plumbers, painters, and carpenters.

◦ Speaker 1 describes the symptoms of tennis elbow, including pain at the lateral epicondyle and potential spread to the forearm and wrist.

• Case Study: Torn Muscles and Treatment Challenges (8:38)

◦ Speaker 2 shares a case of a patient with torn muscles, who was initially treated by an orthopedic surgeon and then by an overzealous physiotherapist.

◦ The patient had bilateral medial epicondyle tears and was advised to wait 12 to 18 months for the injury to heal.

◦ Speaker 2 discusses the challenges of treating a needle-phobic patient and the use of laser therapy instead of needling.

◦ Speaker 1 advises treating muscle shortening and trigger points, emphasizing the importance of deactivating trigger points to avoid worsening the condition.

• Forearm Anatomy and Muscle Treatment (17:47)

◦ Speaker 1 provides a detailed overview of forearm anatomy, including the muscles involved in tennis elbow and their innervations.

◦ The muscles treated for tennis elbow include the brachial Radialis, biceps, extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis, and extensor digitorum communis.

◦ Speaker 1 explains the importance of treating the entire muscle group to alleviate pain and improve function.

◦ The lecture includes practical tips for muscle testing and needle placement for effective treatment.

• Radial Nerve Entrapments and Treatment (45:00)

◦ Speaker 1 discusses the radial nerve entrapments, including the radial tunnel and superficial radial nerve entrapments.

◦ The radial nerve innervates the triceps, brachioradialis, brachialis, and various wrist extensors.

◦ Speaker 1 explains the importance of treating the radial nerve entrapments to alleviate pain and improve function.

◦ The lecture includes practical tips for assessing and treating radial nerve entrapments, including the use of muscle testing and specific needle placement techniques.

• Superficial Radial Nerve Entrapment (47:18)

◦ Speaker 1 explains the superficial radial nerve entrapment, which can cause numbness, tingling, and pain on the back of the hand.

◦ The nerve can be compressed by the brachioradialis and extensor carpi radialis longus, leading to symptoms similar to de Quervain's tenosynovitis.

◦ Speaker 1 describes the sensory distribution of the radial nerve and the importance of treating the brachioradialis and extensor carpi radialis longus to alleviate symptoms.

◦ The lecture includes practical tips for assessing and treating superficial radial nerve entrapment, including the use of the Tinel sign and specific needle placement techniques.

• Posterior Interosseous Nerve Syndrome (81:05)

◦ Speaker 1 discusses the posterior interosseous nerve syndrome, which causes weakness in the wrist extensors and fingers.

◦ The syndrome is rare but can be caused by supinator entrapment, leading to radial deviation during wrist extension.

◦ Speaker 1 explains the importance of treating the supinator and other muscles involved in the radial tunnel to alleviate symptoms.

◦ The lecture includes practical tips for assessing and treating posterior interosseous nerve syndrome, including the use of muscle testing and specific needle placement techniques.

• Summary and Practical Tips (81:33)

◦ Speaker 1 summarizes the key points of the lecture, emphasizing the importance of understanding forearm anatomy and nerve entrapments.

◦ The lecture includes practical tips for assessing and treating various forearm conditions, including tennis elbow, radial tunnel syndrome, and superficial radial nerve entrapment.

◦ Speaker 1 encourages participants to ask questions and engage in hands-on practice to reinforce their learning.

◦ The lecture concludes with a break, allowing participants to prepare for the next session on ulnar nerve entrapments.